Stephan Moll, MD writes… An information article on various aspects of thrombophilia, written for patients and family members, was published today – available here– as a Vascular Disease Patient Information Page in the journal Vascular Medicine.It addresses (a) in which patient with venous thromboembolism to consider thrombophilia testing, (b) what tests might be appropriate to do, (c) how the test results might influence length of anticoagulation therapy (d), what contraceptives are safe to use in women with a history of DVT or PE or thrombophilia, and (e) in which family members to consider thrombophilia testing. This article can be used as an education handout for patients in clinic or the hospital who have DVT, PE, venous thrombosis in unusual locations, or an established thrombophilia.

Stephan Moll, MD writes… The decision how long to treat a patient with venous thromboembolism (VTE) with anticoagulants can often be made based on the patient’s history alone, i.e. the circumstances of the VTE event (provoked versus unprovoked). Often, no thrombophilia testing is needed. However, if one were to do thrombophilia testing, what is the right time to test? Read the rest of this entry »

Inherited protein C deficiency is considered a stronger thrombophilia. It increases the risk for venous and arterial thromboembolism, and possibly for early and late pregnancy loss and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (preeclampsia, IUGR, placental abruption). There are 2 major causes for low protein C values: Read the rest of this entry »

If a thrombophilia (clotting disorder) has been identified in a patient with blood clots (venous thromboembolism = VTE), the question arises whether other family members should be tested for the same thrombophilia.